How to remove programs from XP start menu?

[JMaster]

When I push "start" in windows xp, there is a program listed under "run." I can't find where it's listed. How do I remove it?

 

[Lord Evermore]

A program UNDER the "run" menu item? What is it?

 

[JMaster]

"Access Thinkpad."
Came installed w/the laptop.

 

[TheCorm]

Could you uninstall the entire program in add/remove?

May be a registry fiddle to just remove the shortcut...dunno...

Jamie

 

[Joemonkey]

If you right click the task bar and go to properties, then click on Start Menu tab, then click customize, then click advanced, does it show up in that big list of stuff?

 

[JMaster]

Originally posted by: Joemonkey
If you right click the task bar and go to properties, then click on Start Menu tab, then click customize, then click advanced, does it show up in that big list of stuff?

Nope.

 

[TheCoop]

Go to Start, Run, type in msconfig and hit enter, then you should see the last selection is startup - deselect the checkmark next to the program that you dont want to start

 

[JMaster]

Originally posted by: TheCoop
Go to Start, Run, type in msconfig and hit enter, then you should see the last selection is startup - deselect the checkmark next to the program that you dont want to start

It's not listed there.

 

[Joemonkey]

does this help at all? i know it's a lot to wade through, but I thought you might be able to find the registry key associated with the link in there somewhere

"Note: Except when noted, all of these registry settings are under the following registry key:
<P class=indent>HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer The registry entries are DWORD values. A value of 1 is enabled, and a value of 0 is disabled."


At least you could start by looking under that registry section

 

[Lord Evermore]

Those on/off values wouldn't apply to something on the start menu.

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\StartMenu may have the value somewhere below it for the item.

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\ShellNoRoam\MUICache is another location where most stuff on the start menu goes.

You can also search just for "thinkpad" or "access thinkpad" and delete all references. It would be better if you can find a proper way to uninstall it though. I assume that it doesn't do anything that you'd be upset to not be able to do later, or that you can't do via other means.

 

[JMaster]

Originally posted by: Lord Evermore
Those on/off values wouldn't apply to something on the start menu.

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\StartMenu may have the value somewhere below it for the item.

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\ShellNoRoam\MUICache is another location where most stuff on the start menu goes.

You can also search just for "thinkpad" or "access thinkpad" and delete all references. It would be better if you can find a proper way to uninstall it though. I assume that it doesn't do anything that you'd be upset to not be able to do later, or that you can't do via other means.

I tried all of those earlier.

 

[Lord Evermore]

I guess you might try calling IBM. They might be willing to tell you how to remove it, after all it IS your system and you shouldn't have to run anything you don't want to. But they may not have an actual removal capability, it might have been customized into Windows (though I doubt they could put anything in totally permanently since that would change the software and piss off Microsoft). If it can't be located in the Registry by that name, I can't imagine how it's placed there. You might try searching for an IBM or Thinkpad folder, and check the Windows and System/System32 folders for any files that might be related. The registry may be loading those file names instead of the specific item name.

 

[mechBgon]

What about Start > Run > gpedit.msc > User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Start Menu & Taskbar, is there anything in there to help get it removed? I'm getting that route from a Win2000 machine, and I'm not sure it applies to WinXP or not. Good luck though.

 

[Lord Evermore]

I doubt it will be there. That lists policies regarding the start menu, and then the user's group has to be assigned to use that policy. It only refers to registry settings that can be configured elsewhere, like the taskbar properties; the policy list just gives you a set of policies that forces settings on a user.